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Gender differences in molecular remodeling in pressure overload hypertrophy
E O Weinberg1, C D Thienelt, S E Katz
1Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. eweinber@caregroup.harvard.edu
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|July 10, 1999
Summary
Male and female rats show distinct left ventricular (LV) responses to pressure overload. Despite similar LV hypertrophy, female rats maintain contractile reserve, suggesting estrogen
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Molecular Cardiology
- Animal Models of Cardiac Disease
Background:
- Clinical studies indicate gender disparities in adaptive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy patterns.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying these gender differences in response to pressure overload remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in LV function and cardiac gene expression.
- To analyze the impact of ascending aortic stenosis-induced pressure overload on male and female rat hearts.
Main Methods:
- Ascending aortic stenosis was induced in male and female Wistar rats.
- LV contractile reserve was assessed in isolated hearts.
- Cardiac gene expression (ANF, beta-myosin heavy chain, SERCA, Na+-Ca2+ exchanger) and estrogen receptor transcript were analyzed using RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- LV hypertrophy and systolic wall stress were comparable between sexes.
- Male rats exhibited reduced LV contractile reserve, while females preserved it.
- Differential gene expression patterns (beta-myosin heavy chain, ANF, SERCA) were observed between male and female LVH hearts.
- Estrogen receptor transcript was present in cardiac myocytes of both sexes.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender-specific adaptations in LV function and gene expression occur despite similar LVH.
- Estrogen signaling via myocyte estrogen receptors may contribute to these sex differences in pathological hypertrophy.